11 August 2012

Uganda: Ndejje Targets Titans' Scalp to Boost Playoff Chances

Ndejje Angels has looked crappy in the Fuba League second round; falling to minnows Victoria Heaters before suffering a lopsided loss to Dmark Power by a 30-point margin. This evening, however, they have a chance to get their groove back against highflying KIU Titans at YMCA grounds, writes Felix Eupal.
Since joining the basketball topflight three years ago, Ndejje coach Walker Odedi has always boasted that it's only a matter of time before his men win the championship.
But with each passing season, Ndejje seems to retrogress. And going by their form this season, they may even fail to make it among the eight playoff teams. The university side currently sits seventh on the 12-team table with 20 points from 14 games. They are level on points with Victoria Heaters and just one point above Nkumba Marines.
Six wins and eight losses is a poor return for a team that was tipped to push the big sides. One major reason for the freefall is the departure of key players like Donald Ssali, who joined Miracle Eagles while Paul Mwaka switched to Dmark Power.
And that's not all; their best player Geoffrey Soro wants out. A future prospect with his all-round game, Soro feels his potential being ruined at a 'small club' yet he badly wants to win a title. "I don't want to leave Ndejje but at this rate I'm left with no option," he says.
Put that in all in one box and you understand why Obedi will have his work cut out against the Titans. The Titans enjoyed a fairytale first round, losing only twice and are currently second on the table with 24 points. Complacency briefly derailed them at the start of the second round but they have since recovered.
Nimrod Kaboha is not letting anything come between him and a chance of the Titans winning their first title. He kicked out Brian Wati, the team's his best centre for the past two seasons, due to indiscipline. That was a bold move but it remains to be seen whether it is a wise one.